The “Head On” debate between former state Sen. John Andrews (R) and former Denver councilwoman Susan Barnes-Gelt (D), seen daily on Colorado Public Television since 1997, began its November series this week. Topics include the Libby indictment, state and national election analysis, the Alito Supreme Court nomination.
Voters defang the TABOR-toothed tiger
(John Andrews in the Wall Street Journal, Nov. 3, and the Denver Post, Nov. 6) In Tuesday’s election, as far as taxpayer advocates are concerned, the Alamo fell. Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie are no more. Conservative defenders of the little guy fought valiantly, but the pro-tax forces overwhelmed them. A mighty coalition of Colorado’s establishment spent the past year warning that the world would end unless voters agreed to $3.7 billion in higher taxes and $2.1 billion in deeper debt, and it largely worked. Referendum C, the tax hike, passed with 52% of the vote. Referendum D, the companion measure for bonding, fell just short with 49.6%. Interest was strong; over a million people voted.
Radio, Oct. 23: Unfit for freedom?
BULLETIN FROM JOHN ANDREWSChairman, Backbone America Colorado Fellow, Claremont Institute -------------------------------------------------------------------- Join us on radio every Sunday, 5-8pm on 710 KNUS, Denver To listen online from anywhere, click http://www.710knus.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Stop subsidizing lawbreakers: our new ad spotlights illegals --------------------------------------------------------------------- Come to our party... One year on the air & post-election rally, Sunday Nov. 6, 5-8pm... We'll do the show live from LoDo's at 470 & Quebec... Mark your calendar, join us ---------------------------------------------------------------------- OUR NEXT SHOW... Are human beings fit to be free? That's the question on my mind as I write to you from Belgrade on Thursday, looking forward to being home in Denver on Sunday for the next edition of "Backbone Radio with John Andrews." I'll have a full report on this week's meetings with "small d" democratic party leaders in the newly independent ex-communist republics of Macedonia and Serbia, where I've been traveling for the International Republican Institute.
Cost of illegal aliens targeted in anti-C &D ad
A new radio ad makes the connection between concern about Colorado's growing population of illegal aliens and taxpayer resistance to higher spending. The ad began running this week in Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Grand Junction.
"I’m voting no on Referendum C & D to force our politicians to address the expensive and dangerous problem of illegal aliens and open borders," says a woman in the spot. Listen to the radio ads:
Broadband
Dial-up
See below for more details.
The ad is entitled "Stop Subsidizing Lawbreakers." The woman's voice is that of Kathy Redmond, a single mom and crime victim who lives in Jefferson County.
Also heard on the ad is State Rep. Dave Schultheis (R-Colorado Springs), who recently led a legislative delegation on the Mexican border to learn more about the influx of illegals into this country.
It's wrong, says Schultheis, for politicians supporting C & D "to take your TABOR refund to pay for all this."
Backbone Issue Committee, chaired by former Senate President John Andrews, produced the radio spot as the third in a series opposing the tax and borrowing proposal.
"Illegal aliens undeniably add to the burden on public services in our state," Andrews said, "and law-abiding citizens are left to foot the bill. That rankles a lot of voters."
The script is below.
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"STOP SUBSIDIZING LAWBREAKERS" Radio Ad by Backbone Issue Committee
Man - Referendum C & D supporters say the budget deficit is several hundred million dollars, and they want to increase your taxes to pay for it.
Woman - Think about what else is costing us several hundred million dollars. That?s right, illegal immigration. an estimated 275,000 illegal immigrants now reside in Colorado and the numbers are growing.
Man - I'm State Rep. Dave Schultheis. I recently visited the border and witnessed the illegal immigrant invasion for myself. Both Arizona and New Mexico have declared states of emergency andyet oour state Our government wants you to foot cost using your TABOR refund. That?s wrong.
Woman - I'm Kathy Redmond, a single working mom and former crime victim. I'm voting no on Referendum C & D to force our politicians to address the expensive and dangerous problem of illegal aliens and open borders. Don't reward our government for failing us!
Man - It's time to stop subsidizing lawbreakers in our schools, hospitals, and jails. Vote no on the C & D tax increase.
Announcer - Paid for by Backbone Issue Committee, John Andrews, Chairman
Tax battle tests Colorado's soul
(John Andrews in the Denver Post, Oct. 16) Voting is underway on a law transferring several billion dollars from Colorado families and employers into government, Referendum C, along with a plan to borrow another couple of billion for government projects, Referendum D. I expect that when the votes are counted, the common sense of citizens will result in their saying no to this largest-ever proposal for increasing our tax burden and financing our infrastructure by credit card.